Pope Francis discusses the positive possibilities of the Internet

Pope Francis recently praised the Internet claiming that the communication it gives people is a “gift from God.”

According to The Associated Press, the Pope released a statement on Thursday speaking of his admiration for the web but also warned the addicting communication can hurt people by isolating them from loved ones.

His observations came in a message about communications within the Catholic Church. In the discussion he talked about the highlights and low points of the digital age. He also preached that those who are faithful should take advantage of technology and use it to go out into the world and interact with people of different faiths.

This comes shortly after Pope Francis gave hiscNew Year's speech to the public about the trials the world is facing today.

In Thursday's message, he stated that the Internet gives people “immense possibilities” to introduce and show solidarity with people from other cultures and backgrounds.

“This is something truly good, a gift from God,” he said. However, he warned that the Internet can also be dangerous by saying, “The desire for digital connectivity can have the effect of isolating us from our neighbors from those closest to us.”

Pope Francis also suggested that by engaging in dialogue between other faiths, Catholics should not be vain when they insist that only they can possess the truth.

Francis said having a dialogue means to “believe that the ‘other’ has something worthwhile to say and to entertain his or her point of view and perspective.”

“By engaging in dialogue does not mean renouncing our own ideas and traditions, but the pretense that they alone are valid and absolute,” he said.